Mo Abudu Dismisses “Cinema Cabal” Claims, Says Screen Time is Purely Based on Sales

Media mogul Mo Abudu has firmly dismissed allegations of preferential treatment or “cabal” influence in Nigerian cinema scheduling, stating that screen time is determined solely by commercial performance. Speaking on Arise TV, the CEO of EbonyLife Group, which owns cinema chains, explained that decisions are based on return on investment, with films being removed if they fail to attract audiences.

Abudu clarified that with multiple screenings daily, no single movie can dominate schedules, and maintaining empty screenings is financially unsustainable.

Her comments address longstanding complaints from filmmakers like Toyin Abraham, Ini Edo, and Mercy Aigbe, who have accused cinemas of unfair practices and sabotage. The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria has consistently denied such allegations, arguing that undermining films contradicts their business interests.

Key Points:

The statement provides a direct, business-centric rebuttal to persistent industry grievances about transparency and fairness.
It highlights the financial realities of cinema operations, where occupancy rates directly impact profitability.
The clarification aims to demystify distribution and challenge narratives of insider manipulation within Nollywood.
It underscores the tension between creative content producers and the commercial imperatives of exhibition platforms.
The response reinforces the role of audience choice as the ultimate determinant of a film’s cinematic lifespan.

Abudu’s intervention reframes the debate around cinema slots from one of alleged bias to a matter of audience-driven economics, emphasizing the industry’s commercial underpinnings.

Sources: Mo Abudu Interview on Arise TV